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Illinois nursing homes are enclosed environments where dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of patients reside, eat and participate in social activities in tight quarters. Because of that, the nursing staff is required to take additional precautions and follow procedures and protocols that eliminate the spread of contaminants, infectious diseases, bacteria, and viruses. Unfortunately, not all Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants receive proper training and supervision when providing cares, especially to patients who are in contact isolation due to Clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other highly contagious diseases. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent injured residents of Illinois nursing facilities like Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who have suffered harm from a preventable infection.
Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
This facility is a ‘for profit’ 120-certified-bed Nursing Home providing services and cares to residents of Effingham and Effingham County, Illinois. The Medicare/Medicaid-approved Center is located at:
1115 North Wenthe
Effingham, Il 62401
(217) 347-7121
In addition to providing skilled nursing services, Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center offers rehabilitative services, palliative/hospice care, respite services, nutritional services and pastoral care.
Effingham Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
The Federal government and Illinois nursing home regulatory agencies routinely update the nursing home database system containing the complete list of all safety concerns, health violations, filed complaints and opened investigations. This information can be found on numerous websites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center maintains an overall two out of five available star rating nrational rating system. This includes three out of five stars for both staffing concerns and health inspections and one out of five stars for quality measures. The Effingham County nursing home neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have found serious deficiencies and safety concerns at this facility that include:
- Failure to Follow Procedures and Protocols to Prevent the Spread of Infection
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 08/20/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "provide resident care and services in a manner to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infection within the facility. This has the potential to affect all 85 residents.”
The deficient practice was first noted through state investigators findings and observation of a registered nurse on the morning of 08/17/2015 “providing care to [the resident].” The RN stated that the resident “is an isolation due to Clostridium difficile (C. diff)." The RN “put on a pair of gloves and entered [the resident’s] room." While the resident was lying in bed, the RN “took the pulse oximeter that was hanging from the bottom of her jacket and checked [the resident’s] oxygen level… by placing it on her finger.”
During the procedure, “the pulse oximeter dangled down and hit against [the residents] bed linens and clothing." The Registered Nurse left the room to retrieve bleach germicidal wipes from medication cart and “white the oximeter for approximately 10 seconds elated on top of the cart."
However, the manufacturer’s guidelines for the Bleach Germicidal Wipes instruct the nurse “to clean and disinfect nonporous surfaces” by using “enough wipes to treat surface to remain visibly wet fo ther contact time listed on the label.” To kill Clostridium difficile, the manufacturer recommends three minutes of contact time.
- Failure to Ensure That Every Resident’s Medication Regimen Is Free of Unnecessary Drugs
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/10/2014, a state investigator noted a deficient practice during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "provide diagnoses, indications for use and adequate monitoring for one resident [using a] psychotropic medication."
The state investigator reviewed a resident’s July 2014 Physician’s Orders noting that the resident was ordered to take Seroquel three days a week and lorazepam each eight hours as needed. However, a review of the resident’s “medical record, Care Plan and cumulative diagnoses record found no diagnosis related to the use of Seroquel.”
The facility’s residential behavioral tracking found the resident to be “anxious in the evening and yells out for help…, Resident at times is rude to staff and tries to hit at them when being helped. The resident at times gets depressed not being able to be at home [...and] gets anxious and looks around for [her] husband.”
The medical staff was interviewed in regards the resident’s Care Plans but “found that there were no diagnoses related to the use of psychotropic medication Seroquel in the resident’s diagnoses record.”
Effingham Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you, or your loved one, have suffered injury or harm while residing as a patient at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, contact the Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC law firm now. Our skillful Effingham seasoned attorneys have successfully resolved many victim cases involving mistreatment, neglect, and abuse in Illinois nursing facilities. Our attorneys can work on your behalf to ensure your family receives the financial compensation they deserve.
We encourage you to contact our Effingham County elder abuse law offices by calling (888) 424-5757 today to schedule your free, full case evaluation. Make no payment upfront for our legal fees which are paid only after we have successfully resolved your case by winning at trial or negotiating an acceptable out of court settlement on your behalf.
Sources:
http://evergreennursingrehab.com/
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6002133FIA08202015.PDF
